Less formatted routes and more flexible assistance

In order to try to breathe new life into the World Rally Championship, it was not only necessary to focus on the technical regulations. The entire structure had to be “shaken” and this should happen next year. The framework in which the competition takes place had to undergo changes. All the corporations wanted them and several modifications will have significant effects...if the players play the game.

This concerns, first of all, the organizers. The latter will benefit from greater freedom in developing their itinerary. Although they will be able to choose the day of departure and the number of kilometers or stages, they must plan the Power Stage on Sunday afternoon. Over the course of the rounds, this special has become one of the most watched moments on live broadcasts. Neither the FIA ​​nor the promoter wanted to jeopardize it. The greater latitude granted to events should result in a much less standardized calendar, that is to say with sprint rallies and others offering endurance. If the audacity is there, this mixture should reinforce the interest of the championship. During the races, in addition to the routes, the appearance of the service parks should also be turned upside down.

A redesigned organization

In order to save money and improve simplicity, teams will have to reduce their workforce. They will be given structures provided by the organizers to work on. This should have several impacts. First of all, there will no longer be a need for an enormous space to “fit” the manufacturers’ immense installations. By reducing the transport volume, this should also be accompanied by a reduction in costs while allowing greater flexibility. It will in fact be easier to change the location of the park during an event, which will open up possibilities for the routes. Those nostalgic for Moulinon, Burzet and Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid are already rubbing their hands…

In order to reduce the connection kilometers and allow the events to be less concentrated, displaced assistance will be encouraged with the use of small vehicles carrying a limited number of parts. There, fans of Ardèche and Haute-Loire begin to dream…

These measures need to be detailed, because there are multiple interpretations, but it seems that after going towards excessive formatting, the rallies are trying to find a little freedom and diversity. It smacks of the 80s when the teams carried out interventions on the side of the roads after each special. THE " it was better before » is on the rise, but is it still achievable in 2025?